Going on long drives is one of our favorite things to do as a family. When Aditi was younger, sitting in the car for long hours was not something she was interested in. We figured playing games would be a good way to keep her engaged.

Poetry tea time, also known as poetry-in-pajamas at our house, has become my secret weapon in celebrating each of my children’s unique interests. In a family of our size, it’s easy to see how individual children could get swallowed up into the whole of six. No longer individuals but just part of the group, the crew, the kids. But one intention I’ve always set forth and challenged myself to uphold, is to honor and celebrate each and every one of my children. Often.

We had a My Side of the Mountain poetry tea (just finished the book and we're almost done with the Arrow). We had chocolate frogs, pumpkins seeds, "sams" salmon sandwiches, apple scones, berries, raspberry cookies, carrot cake, and in the white cups was sassafras tea!

True enjoyment of poetry was ruined for me as a teen when my high school classmates and I were required to pick poems apart and find all the deep and supposedly hidden meanings that existed. I was always afraid my interpretations would be incorrect, and the poems we read were often depressing. When I learned about Poetry Teatime, I was so inspired to make poetry a positive and memorable experience for my own children.